"We intend to take the four Japanese head-on. We did not intend to build a motorcycle like Ducati does or KTM does. We wanted to build a mainstream motorcycle." There were a number who doubted Pieter de Waal, Vice President of BMW Motorrad USA, when he uttered that sentiment back in April regarding the company's new S 1000 RR, but it seems the Bavarian motorcycle manufacturer has come through on its promise of attractive pricing for its latest superbike.

With a base price of $13,800, the new S 1000 RR is within spitting distance of the Yamaha R1, Suzuki GSX-R1000, Kawasaki ZX-10R and Honda CBR1000RR, which is the most expensive of the Japanese literbikes at $12,999 (plus $1,000 for ABS). As a refresher, the new Beemer – which puts out 193 horsepower at 13,000 RPM, 82.5 lb-ft of torque at 9,750 RPM and weighs 455.3 pounds with a full tank of gas – boasts the best power-to-weight ratio of any bike in its class.

Naturally, there are desirable options that can quickly move the bike away from the bargain category, including a package that adds ABS brakes and traction control for $1,480. Click past the break for the complete rundown.

Torrance CA: American Honda announced today that it will withdraw Team Honda from participation in the 2009 AMA Roadracing Series. This was an extremely difficult decision to make as the racing spirit reaches to the very core of Honda.

The primary factor contributing to this decision is the current global economic situation and its impact on Honda. Although Team Honda will not be in attendance, Honda will continue to be represented in AMA Roadracing through our ongoing support of both the Erion Honda Racing and Corona Honda Racing teams.

Entering the second year of our partnership with Red Bull Energy Drink, the Honda Red Bull Racing team will return for the 2009 Supercross and National Motocross season with a full roster of factory riders.

American Honda¹s factory and support teams have earned more than 100 national titles in U.S. Road Racing, ATV, Supermoto, Supercross, Motocross and off-road competition, and we would like to extend our deepest thanks to all the sponsors, supporters and fans of our racing efforts over the years.
We ask that you continue to support the Honda Red Bull Racing team, the Erion Honda Racing team and the Corona Honda Racing team along with all the other Honda Red Riders as they chase the championships and battle for each victory.

While it is unfortunate that the current economic conditions led us to take this action, rest assured that Honda¹s deep-seated passion for racing has not been, and will never be, diminished.

Who would spend $10,000 on a Ferrari bike? I'm not sure, but he's sure as hell richer than me. He must have many leather-bound books and his apartment? It contains the smells of of rich mahogany. My hat is tipped to you, sir, for you spent a quarter of the normal working man's income on a bicycle.

In its brief lifespan of only 13 days, Hurricane Ike wreaked great deal of havoc. Affecting several countries including Cuba, Haiti, and the United States, Ike is blamed for approximately 114 deaths (74 in Haiti alone), and damages that are still being tallied, with estimates topping $10 billion. Many shoreline communities of Galveston, Texas were wiped from the map by the winds, storm surge and the walls of debris pushed along by Ike - though Galveston was spared the level of disaster it suffered in 1900.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to those who were affected by this disaster. Hit the source to see 27 more photos of the aftermath that consumed part of the world.

Darwin cannot WAIT to get his hands on this guy. Spotted on the highways of New Delhi, India, some motorcyclist decided his text message was urgent enough that he just had to respond. And respond he did, while lounging back and driving between cars in traffic on the highway. Unbelievable!

A car has plowed into a bike race along a highway near the US-Mexico border, killing one and injuring 10 others.

Police investigator Jose Alfredo Rodriguez says the 28-year-old driver was apparently drunk and fell asleep when he crashed into the race. A photograph taken by a city official shows bicyclists and equipment being hurled high in to the air by the collision.

Volkswagen chairman Ferdinand Piech revealed last month his desire to expand the carmaker’s operations into the motorbike industry, telling German media that he regretted not acquiring the Ducati label during the 1980s when it was near bankruptcy. Piech’s dream could soon come true as latest reports claim VW is about to produce its first-ever motorbike.

Volkswagen is rumored to be in negotiations with Austrian motorbike manufacturer KTM over a deal to produce VW branded motorbikes and three-wheelers. According to AutoExpress, VW is planning to revive its stillborn GX-3 project (pictured) as well as develop a range of motorbikes to compete with BMW’s Motorrad subsidiary. The carbon-fiber specialists at KTM could even help VW engineer a production version of its 1-liter concept.

The GX-3 was an official concept vehicle that was displayed back at the 2006 Los Angeles Auto Show. Designed together with KTM, the concept featured a 2.0L turbocharged engine sourced from the Audi TT and would eventually go on to inspire the Austrian motorbike manufacture to build its own X-Bow roadster. VW dropped plans to further develop the GX-3 due to the legal hurdles of producing and selling such vehicle.

Next Saturday, the Powerblock gang tackles a massive new task: remaking the Mach 5 from Speed Racer. Watch them turn an ordinary corvette into the classic race car. So mark your calendars for May 3rd and be sure to check out the Powerblock on SpikeTV. In the meantime, check out the thumbnails to see a preview of the car they are working with.

Bad news for Florida riders, as of October 1st, anyone caught doing 30 over in that state faces confiscation of their vehicle, five to ten years in prison and a ten-year license suspension. We say ‘anyone’ because bill HB 137, which was originally targeted at motorcyclists, was amended to apply to all vehicles.

State Representative Carlos Lopez-Cantera introduced the bill to the Florida State Legislature last November after witnessing motorcycle riders wheelying and cutting through traffic on a ride-along with Miami police. The bill has understandably created an uproar in the motorcycle community, but has experienced little opposition from the motorcycle industry and lobby groups.

A lobbyist representing ABATE did express concerns that the bill unfairly targeted motorcyclists, arguing that penalties for motorists who violate motorcycle rider’s right of way, injuring or killing them, are substantially lower.

While the bill was altered to include all vehicles, the anti-motorcycle language remains, specifically that which discusses the revocation of the motorcycle endorsement.

Tired of looking like a wuss on your Segway? Then put down your bike helmet and put on the Skull Helmet from Santiago Chopper. Owning anything from a place called Santiago Chopper is guaranteed to add +1 to your self esteem, but this brain bucket (that's cool biker slang for helmet) will "scare the crap out of any onlookers while you're enjoying your mid day [sic] cruise." Also recommended for spastic World of Warcrafters who frequently "biff" or "auger" during extended gameplay sessions as this will prevent the ensuing "cranial disharmony." And since this "lid" is only $149, you can afford to get one for your "betty" too.

The United Auto Workers and General Motors Corp. agreed Wednesday to a tentative contract that ends a two-day national strike — the first against the automaker in 37 years — and puts responsibility for retirees' health care into the union's hands.

GM and the UAW confirmed that the deal creates a GM-funded, UAW-run trust to administer retiree health care. The two sides gave no other details, but a person briefed on the contract told The Associated Press that it also would give workers bonuses and lump-sum payments and would pay newly hired workers at lower rates. The person requested anonymity because the contract talks are private.

The union said the agreement with the nation's largest automaker was reached shortly after 3 a.m. The UAW canceled the strike about an hour later and some workers could return as early as Wednesday afternoon.

A biker from Croatia had his penis zapped by lightning as he stopped beside the road to urinate.

Djindjic, said: "I don't remember what happened. One minute I was taking a leak and the next thing I knew I was in hospital. Doctors said the lightning went through my body and because I was wearing rubber boots it earthed itself through my penis."

Djindjic, who suffered light burns to his chest and arms, added: "Thankfully, the doctors said that there would be no lasting effects, and my penis will function normally eventually."

The United Auto Workers union set an 11 a.m. ET Monday strike deadline for its 73,000 members at General Motors late Sunday night, although talks between the union and the company were still ongoing.

"The 2007 contract talks involved complex, difficult issues that affect the job security of our work force and the long-term viability of our company," said GM spokesman Dan Flores. "We are fully committed to working with the UAW to develop solutions together to address the competitive challenges facing General Motors. We will continue focusing our efforts on reaching an agreement as soon as possible."

The strike threat did little to worry investors. Shares of Dow component GM were up more than 4 percent in pre-market trading early Monday.